Main Entry: pres·by·ter

Pronunciation: \ˈprez-bə-tər, ˈpres-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Late Latin, elder, priest, from Greek presbyteros, comparative of presbys old man, elder; akin to Greek pro before and Greek bainein to go — more at for, come

Date: 1597

1 : a member of the governing body of an early Christian church
2 : a member of the order of priests in churches having episcopal hierarchies that include bishops, priests, and deacons
3 : elder 4b

— pres·byt·er·ate \prez-ˈbi-tə-rət, pres-, -ˌrāt\ noun